Andrejs Mamikins (S&D). – Mr President, the negotiations of the budget for 2019 has been particularly challenging this year, and therefore I thank Mr Viotti for his hard work. I also contributed to the EP draft budget, paying special attention to the budget of EU agencies in the area of freedom, security and justice. Unfortunately, when the mandate of an agency is expanded, it does not necessarily result in the increase of its budget. Do we really expect our agencies and justice and home affairs to deliver more results with fewer resources? It seems that the Council really believes so, which I – as an MEP – deem unacceptable.

However, I would like to make a positive comment on the increase of EUR 943 million obtained in the negotiations. They correspond to Parliament’s main political priorities – namely, in support of researchers, young people, SMEs, tackling the root causes of migration, climate change and increasing the security of EU citizens. That is why I voted in favour.

Daniel Hannan (ECR). – Mr President, first of all, may I thank you for the brisk and efficient way in which, as usual, you’ve conducted the vote, and may I take this opportunity to wish you and all of the staff and interpreters a very happy Christmas.

One of the outcomes of the recent protests in France is that the French budget is now plainly going to spiral beyond the limits allowed in European treaties. We’re always told that this is a law—based organisation that has to follow its rules. I just want to leave Members as they head back to their constituencies with one question: when a eurosceptic government in Italy looked as though it might breach the deficit rules, it was universally condemned and an alternative budget was cooked up in Brussels. Will that same standard be applied when Emmanuel Macron does the same thing?